Would you ever use mineral oil to moisturize your skin. What about your vagina? Or on your child that has a diaper rash? Or as a personal lubricant?
Petrolatum is the “petroleum jelly” that was a popular product way back in the 70’s and 80’s when little research had been done on it. Now, petrolatum goes often by names such as paraffin oil, mineral oil, and white petrolatum by the brand name, Vaseline.
Petrolatum is a byproduct of oil refining…. Basically a gooey mixture derived from petroleum. The main concern with Petrolatums is the contamination during refining with polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). These are known to be carcinogenic. One study of women with breast cancer found that higher PAH levels led to 50% increased breast cancer risk.
Therefore, before being used, petroleum MUST go through a sufficient refining process. The main concern is the contamination during refining with polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) which is known to be carcinogenic. One study of women with breast cancer found that higher PAH levels led to 50% increased breast cancer risk.
Here lies another BIG problem: How come the North American authorities look away when they should protect consumer health? What does “sufficient refining process” mean? Can you imagine, that the refining processes for petroleum jelly are not regulated or disclosed in the U.S. or Canada. However the EU requires disclosure of petroleum jelly refining history and non-carcinogenic quality. And oftentimes, petrolatum is NOT refined in the US, which means it can be contaminated with toxic chemicals that will harm your health.
Many personal care products on the market use petrolatum as a barrier ingredient as it creates a water protective barrier. Cosmetic uses include: a moisturizer for dry skin, a protectant for irritated skin, an emollient for rough skin, a lubricant to prevent chafing or blistering, and use as a vehicle for other ingredients. It can be found in processed food products and is often used as a lubricant for machinery.
Again – while the FDA allows the use of petrolatum in both personal care products and food products, the European Union has banned it. And in North America, there is no way for the consumer to know or rely on the safety of this ingredient because of the lack of care and regulation by the authorities..
If you are anything like the Damiva community, you would not want to use personal care products that came from mineral oil , are not fully refined, and probably contaminated with carcinogenic compounds that can severely harm your health and well-being? Check out our 100% natural, chemical free and vegan products for your skin.
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The Scary Truth About Fragrances 
The Truth About Water In Your Skincare Products 
Are Phthalates In Skincare Putting You At Risk? Here’s Why You Should Avoid Them! 
What Are The Effects Of Sulfates On Your Skin? 
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